Thursday, December 21

The Supervet at Christmas – 8pm on Channel 4 – In this festive special, Professor Noel Fitzpatrick helps a Humboldt penguin chick with a very unhappy foot. And a husky from Thailand undergoes hip surgery. But will he be fit in time for Christmas?

The Undateables at Christmas – 9pm on Channel 4 – The heartwarming series returns with some familiar faces sharing their extra special plans with loved ones for the festive season.

Saturday, December 23

The World's Best Christmas Lights: From Liverpool to Bethlehem – 8pm on Channel 4 – In this one-off special, four unlikely lads and a lass from Liverpool head to Manger Square to decorate Bethlehem in time for Christmas.

Christmas Eve – Sunday, December 24

The Snowman – 5.20pm on Channel 4 – On Christmas Eve a young boy decides to make a snowman. During the night, it comes to life...

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Raymond Briggs' classic Christmas animation is followed by The Snowman and the Snowdog at 5.55pm. The Snowman airs again on Christmas Day at 12.45pm, followed by The Snowman and the Snowdog at 1.20pm and Briggs' 1991 animation Father Christmas at 1.55pm.

Christmas Day – Monday, December 25

The Alternative Christmas Message – 2.30pm on Channel 4 – An annual alternative to the Queen's Christmas Day broadcast. This year's speaker is yet to be confirmed.

The Great Christmas Bake Off – 7.40pm on Channel 4 – Eight merry bakers from Bake Off past – including Val and Selasi, Paul Jagger and Beca Lyne-Pirkis – past join Sandi Toksvig and Noel Fielding as they do battle in festive-themed challenges. It's down to judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith to decide who wins the festive Star Baker title.

First Dates at Christmas – 9pm on Channel 4 – Fred and his Christmas Cupids celebrate an incredible year that has seen love blossom into wedding proposals, engagement rings and the very first First Dates baby! Some favourite couples return, while some special singletons are hoping for a kiss under the mistletoe or even to meet 'the one' at Christmas.

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Alan Carr's Christmas Chatty Man – 10pm on Channel 4 – Alan is joined on the sofa by Noel Gallagher, Christian Slater, Lorraine Kelly, Rob Beckett and Gogglebox stars Giles and Mary. Music and further chat comes from rock band Kasabian, Adam Lambert and Dua Lipa.

Made in Chelsea's Christmas Ding Dong – 10pm on E4 – Rick Edwards is back for a Christmassy end of season party. There are parlour games, seriously awkward reunions and some blistering fashion feedback from Mark-Francis.

Boxing Day - Tuesday, December 26

Travel Man – 8pm on Channel 4 – In an hour-long Christmas extravaganza, Richard Ayoade is joined by Jon Hamm for a Yuletide yomp around Hong Kong, the most visited and most vertical city on the planet.

Big Fat Quiz of the Year – 9pm on Channel 4 – Quizmaster Jimmy Carr tests a panel of A-list celebrities including Richard Ayoade, Noel Fielding, David Mitchell, Big Narstie, Katherine Ryan and Roisin Conaty to see how closely they've been paying attention to the last year.

Wednesday, December 27

Miranda Does Christmas – 9pm on Channel 4 – Miranda Hart hosts this one-off variety special, rewarding the good deeds of unsuspecting members of the audience and bringing romance to two singletons, with special guests including David Tennant, Sam Smith and Prue Leith.

8 Out of 10 Cats – 9.40pm on E4 – A new compilation of more of the best bits from the latest series of the popular long-running quiz. Expect to hear Jimmy Carr's laugh a lot.

Thursday, December 28

The Secret Life of 5 Year Olds on Holiday – 8.30pm on Channel 4 – Some familiar faces from the previous series are jetting off to the Sunwing family resort in Cyprus, and and the little ones are taking their families along too.

What Britain Bought in 2017 – 9pm on Channel 4 – An intriguing, eye-opening one-off look at what the nation's £7.5 billion-a-week shopping bill says about us and our collective mood.

Friday, December 29

Jamie and Jimmy's Friday Night Feast – 8pm on Channel 4 – Jamie Oliver and Jimmy Doherty are joined in the café by Ashley Jensen, star of Extras, Ugly Betty and Catastrophe.

Saturday, December 30

The Price is Right – 8pm on Channel 4 – Alan Carr invites five lucky members of the studio audience to "come on down" for a Christmas special of the world's longest-running TV game show.

New Year's Day – Monday, January 1

The Great Festive Bake Off – 7.40pm on Channel 4 – Tis the season to be jolly. And what better way to celebrate, than with the second of two Yuletide specials from the Bake Off team.

Tuesday, January 2

Prince: Last Year of a Legend – 10pm on Channel 4 – This documentary goes behind Prince's public persona to reveal a man hitting a new creative peak both as an artist and activist during the 12 months leading up to his tragic death, aged 57.